Press Release

WASHINGTON. D.C. – A report released today by Rep. Darrell Issa (CA), the Ranking Republican on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, finds that the Obama Administration is failing in its commitment to create, “an unprecedented level of openness in government.”

In providing an overview of the oversight activities of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Minority, report notes that the committee Minority has sent 215 letters in support of its oversight and investigative duties in 2009, 79 of which were to White House or executive branch agency officials, excluding Inspectors General. Of those 79 letters sent to Administration officials asking questions about actions and programs that are of public concern, the Administration has sent responses that were fully responsive, complete, and helpful in only 34 cases.

“Under one-party rule in Washington, Republicans are working to ensure that critical questions still get asked and there is accountability when the Administration and this Congress choose to ignore them,” said Rep. Issa. “We will continue our efforts to hold the Federal bureaucracy accountable and help the President create a truly open and transparent government for the 21st century.”